Return to Darkness

[General Beatrix]

***From A Rose and its Clippers, in Hyperspace***

[glow=red,2,300]The orb of light touched ground directly below the looming Red Rose and hovered four feet above the ground before the golden-barred gates leading to Prince Adam's palace grounds.

The light faded, and in its place the General of Alexandria appeared, one hand on her hip, the other tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear; the smirk on her face would be mistaken as something condescending had anyone foolish enough to witness been visible, but no one was in sight.

She stepped forth, and stared up at the crest carved into the massive gates. it read: "A", with a mighty beast in the background, and a rose blooming below the letter.

Suddenly, two guards appeared, dressed in old metal armor, a portrait of the old days. Beatrix sighed, glad to see some customs didn't change over time in the worlds. The stepped up to the gates and saw the woman on the other side, and in unison slammed down their halberds and cried "Ah-uh-lp!"

Soon the sound of crank-crank-crank-crank could be heard as the men stepped backwards, the two large gates slowly swinging inward. When they stopped moving, the two knights returned to Beatrix, this time only five feet away.[/glow]

"Why, General Beatrix!" they spoke together, once again slamming down their halberds. "What an honor it is to see you! Please, follow us and we shall take you to His Highness!"

[glow=red,2,300]"That will not be necessary at this time," said the general, waving her free hand in a fan-like manner. "I am waiting on three others, first, before I make my appearance to the prince and his consort."

The knights both nodded, and simply stood there waiting, their posture perfect; they seemed almost as ridiculous as the bumbling Knights of Pluto, but more uniformly, like the Knights of Alexandria; Beatrix felt at home, and yet she felt so far away, knowing full well what she had done with her world. She missed Alexandria more now than ever, and wished to cry.

That was, however, going to have to wait until she was in private quarters, as the great General Beatrix had been slacking of late, and people would think she grew soft. No way.[/glow]

[Sai]

Not far from where the General had appeared, a dark swirling mass would form, tearing through the fabric of space in order to provide a corridor through which one may travel. From this shadowy doorway stepped a figure garbed in silver robes, a crimson scarf fluttering after him as he strode. He paused, finding the knights and the general quite easily before walking over.

Sai stood beside Beatrix, looking over the castle grounds. This was his first visit here, and while he knew in an old life he would have been impressed, now he felt nothing. His one visible eye was only half-open, as though to convey his half-interest in all around him. He reached up and tapped Beatrix's shoulder politely before pointing upward to the ship. "The sisters' mount was too hefty for your exit strategy. The White Mage and the Bird will be descending via anchor." With that, he fell silent, knowing he needed to wait for permission to go to the library.

Always waiting... oddly enough, he was getting impatient.

[Abigail Crescentlight]

*from a rose and its clippers*


The slack tightened quickly, and they stopped a few feet above the ground. Abigail took an extra moment, clinging tightly to Boco before an eye opened and she looked down. She sighed, then slipped out of the saddle on his back and down to the ground, thankful to be on terra firma once more. "Whew..." she whispered, then reached up to free the Chocobo from the harness. "You're going on a diet right now..." she told him, holding a finger up to inform the bird that she was in fact very serious. "I'm NOT going through that heart-attack again!"

With a smile, she took his reigns and made their way over to the gates to join Sai and Beatrix. "We're here!" she said cheerfully.

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias supervised from above, making sure that all went smoothly, and was ready to use a 'jump' spell if necessary, to rescue the two somehow. When it was all in the clear, she bowed to the Soldiers, thanking them kindly for their efforts and jobs well done, and excused herself to meet up with the others. The knight jumped up into the ceramic and came out a bright light that twirled around in mid air before slowly ascending toward the group bellow at the Bridge.

Once the Light was gone, the knight stood in its place, with a hand resting upon the hilt of Save the Queen, and the other relaxed on her side. She looked serious, as a Knight would be in such a setting. She saw the guards of the castle, and bowed her head in respect, "I apologize to have all waiting, we were experiencing some trifle problems with my trusty Chocobo." she looked back to Boco, who had his head lowered shyly, worried about the training he was about to endure after the warm meeting. She then turned and looked forward to the soldiers, and stayed quiet- simply there as a knight. She ... was trying hard not to make eye contact with Beatrix.

The blond watched her surroundings a moment, finding no mechanisms, nor constructs in this world. Actually, it reminded her of her own home... of Ivalice. She took a breath, feeling the clean, un-polluted air enter her lungs, and exhaled, relaxing. She took a second to close her eyes, to think of Ramza and the others around her... a piece of home in her memories would always keep it alive, but, alas, her eyes had to open eventually.

[nexus]

****from hyperspace****

Seeing the flags on the castle as she landed outside the dastle gates brought back many memories from home, Airinose growled a bit as Nexus climbed down off her back. "It's ok girl, go on get flying if you don't wanna be down here........" but before he could finish, Airinose had already lifted off back into the air.

Nexus stepped up to the large gate with a weird insignia on it and pushed upon the gates, with a loud "Creeeeeck " the gates opened and he stepped threw to see a couple knights and a big yellow bird standing at the other end of the bridge in front of him.

Nexus put his hand on the top of the hilt of his sword and with a deep breath he began his trek to the the other end of the bridge. His memories would have to wait, the Keybalde MAster was still the biggest thing on his mind

[Sai]

The Nobody crossed his arms a bit, still waiting for Beatrix to make her greetings and usher them toward the Prince's keep. He wasn't standing with them, but rather had taken to leaning against the wall near the gate inside the courtyard. Because he wasn't really paying much attention to the guards whom the sisters had taken the liberty of speaking with, his attention was free to wander.

Specifically, in its wandering, it was brought to a dragon flying off, and a young man attempting to sneak past the gates. This was a bit of a fallacy, considering the gates did make a rather loud creek when opened. Sai unfolded his arms, and walked up behind him, curious who this stranger was and what prompted this... sneaking behavior.

Because the young man was too busy keeping an eye on the sisters, their Chocobo, and the knights, it was understandable that he had overlooked Sai right next to him as he passed, and to not detect the man when he walked up behind him. Sai took note of the hand on the blade, and made sure to tap the shoulder furthest from it, so the man would most likely turn in that direction and give the Nobody time to react should he react violently. Hoping to ease the swordsman's mind before such a reaction could occur, Sai spoke as he tapped in his usual, calm voice.

"Can I help you?"

[nexus]

"Huh, whoa,What the, Who the" Nexus gave off after being startled.
Nexus stared at the six foot silver person in front of him, giving him a quick look up and down. He looked at his pointy hat and finished at the two glowing eyes staring at him.

Nexus kept one hand on the hilt of his sword, looking up at the sisters and then back at the robed one in front of him "Uhhhh where are we?........and are you friend or foe?"

[General Beatrix]

Beatrix quit playing with the rose in her hair to turn upon arrival of her comrades. To Sai she nodded, seeing the antsiness in his stride, even though he wouldn't know it. Just because you could feel nothing emotionally did not mean physically you were immune.

she leaned in and whispered quietly as Abigail and the chubby Boco landed. "I understand you hold sway over Corridors of Darkness; really, a chocobo should be immune to their dark pull."

and finally, Agrias appeared, but her arrival was somewhat overshadowed by the mysterious creeper; when Beatrix shot a glance over to where Sai was interrogating, both the guards, whose eyes were trained on the general, turned as well, their glares hidden beneath their visors.

"Halt!" they cried out together, and moved as one to block the man's path. "General Beatrix, is this man with you?"

The woman shook her head and waved an arm in the direction of the others and towards Sai. "This is my only entourage; this man is no one I know." She moved over to the Nobody and rested a hand on his shoulder, her cobalt blue eye piercing this newcomer.

"Who is he, Sai? And what business has he at His Highness' castle?" Then she addressed the man directly. "Do not dare feign the ailment of Silence, dreg, for you are in the presence of a Sister of Light!"

A hand glided down to the hilt of Save the Queen, and the tuscan-haired woman drew it out only an inch, awaiting new light to be shed. "Speak," she barked.

The two soldiers hopped, and called out "We shall alert the Prince of your arrival, then! we're sure of your capability to protect yourself and others, and will respect it...unlike last time." And they bolted it straight for the castle, fearing the woman's wrath should Nexus pose a challenge.

"Agrias, Abigail and Sai...oh, Boco too...follow Sers Jon and John, please."

[Agrias Oaks]

"We shall alert the Prince of your arrival, then! we're sure of your capability to protect yourself and others, and will respect it...unlike last time."

'Last time...?' Agrias would raise an eyebrow, her attention, too, placed upon the strange man who arrived. She would hold tightly at the grip of her sword, her armor cursed with a bit of that signature glow if it. She would turn fully to assist, but, it would quickly dim when...

"Agrias, Abigail and Sai...oh, Boco too...follow Sers Jon and John, please."

...Of course, the General can handle herself. The knight gave a weak smile, and signaled for Abigail and Boco to come with her. She did not argue, she just couldn't, only follow orders. She turned in place, and began to enter the castle walls, hoping that the others would follow. The grip on her Save the Queen loosening.

Boco's head would tilt cutely at the signal, knowing it was to follow, he pecked a little at Abigail's head and large hood, before walking over to peck at Sai's hat a little along the way, following the holy knight.

"Kwhee~"

The blond woman would spare a glance towards Beatrix before looking back to follow the knights of the castle.

[nexus]

Hearing the general barking out orders to him to "speak" and calling him a dreg....... whatever that is, he remembered the knights of his world and how they acted. His father always told him to show respect to those dressed in armor as she was, his mother taught him to show respect to women wherever he may go.

Nexus removed his hand from his sword and placed it acrossed his chest in a saluting fashion. "Hail good knight, i meant no disrespect. I come from another world , i am in search of one known as a Keyblade Master" after a pause he continued "This castle reminded me of home and i thought i may find some answers to where my foe may be" he finished with a small bow in her direction.

truth be told Nexus was lost more then ever, the fact that he came acroossed this castle was mere luck. He returned to a standing position with his arms crossed in front of him, a new place or new people it mattered not to him, it was the "keyblade master" he wanted, and whether it be loss of pride or embarrassment he would suffer it all to find this person.

[General Beatrix]

The general's eye narrowed on the man as he removed his hand from the blade's hilt; good, this would be a slight bit easier now, she thought, and in turn stepped out of her battle stance, though continued to maintain a grip on Save the Queen.

"So you just happened upon this world after seeing both castle and bustling airship in need of repairs. expect me, do you, to believe this? And Keyblade Master?"

Beatrix let out a loud chuckle, and shook her head at this bumbling man's expense. she straightened her back and drew out her holy blade, directing it his way.

"You have traveled long and far seeking out a legend, my friend; the Masters are nothing but a memory; as a Sister of Light we are the closest organization to those who abandoned us." Was this one of that Waltz Atticus' new puppets? She raised Save the Queen a bit, until the tip was at the man's eye level. Letting out a short "tch", she continued.

"If you seek out your home world, as you claim, then tell me how you came upon knowledge of the Keyblade. And speak quickly, for those in the dark find it difficult to formulate a good lie in short, clear sentences."

"Be warned: I once felled a hundred knights single-handedly; to me you are nothing but a mere insect. I will not hesitate to purge you from the light, Dark One."

[Sai]

Sai was about to oblige the General. He even took a step or two in the direction of the castle. However, when Nexus used the term "Keyblade Master" he froze in the spot and turned his attention to the man. Beatrix merely laughed and demanded further, even pointing her weapon at the man and calling him a member of the darkness. However, this was counter-productive.

Sai reached up and placed a hand on the blade, gently pushing it aside as he looked to the man. "He's not of the darkness..." he said bluntly, addressing Beatrix as he watched the stranger. "I'd have smelled it on him by now..." he tilted his head a bit now, still watching with that dull expression. "Though the question remains prudent. How did you come across this information, stranger?" he asked, now addressing Nexus.

"And why do you call the masters your enemy?" he asked, finding a contradiction in the facts. "Only those of the dark should consider them enemies..."

[Abigail Crescentlight]

Abigail had smiled as Agrias approached, holding Boco's reins lightly and petting the large bird's cheek as she kept his beak resting on her right shoulder. She giggled happily, tilting her head as she observed all that went on with the odd newcomer and Sai. Then, Beatrix gave the order.

She sighed a bit, a tad disappointed at being heralded inside like a child, but when Agrias herself gestured them to follow, she felt more inclined to do so. However, it was... difficult to believe that Boco would be allowed into the foyer, even with as cute as he was pecking affectionately at her hair. She giggled a bit, trying to push him away from her raven tresses. "Boco... noooo" she cutely complained, then nuzzled his beak lovingly. "Hee. Cute birdy!" she said, then looked to a nearby servant who seemed there for the sole purpose of taking Boco to the stables.

She sighed, then looked to Agrias. She smiled weakly, then handed the reins to the servant with a "please take good care of him..." as he was lead off. She made a silent promise with herself that she would drop by the stables later. Maybe Boco would let her ride him? He did sort of permit it when they were on the anchor, but she wanted to see him really strut his stuff and run!

While she had the opportunity, she ran over to Agrias and whispered to her. "Hey... now that we're alone, can I ask you something privately?" she asked softly.

"Is there something going on between you and Bea?" point blank... she needed to know once and for all. She needed closure on the topic... from both sides.

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias walked along the path with her eyes glued to the floor, until Abigail came to her side. She blinked once, and looked to her, giving her a bright smile-- or at least attempting one...


"Hey... now that we're alone, can I ask you something privately?" the mage would ask, and the knight would bow her head to her direction, motioning with a gloved hand for her to do as she pleased, "Is there something going on between you and Bea?"

The knight froze in place for a brief second, and her smile had gone. Her eyes widened slightly before softening, and facing the front, towards the end of the long hallway, she began to walk again. A hand rested at the hilt of her sword, and she would grip it nervously. It was so out of her element, these questions... it was easy to read her like a book.

"I know naught." She would whisper honestly, "I am... at a loss of words for when it comes to describing that which is between us." she spoke softly, so the other knights wouldn't hear, "I do care for her, that is, my heart grows for her, yet something is unsettling... something fills me with doubt, and mayhaps fear? I feel I cannot face her, that I feel... beneath her, and her authority, really..."

The two sisters of light turned the corner, and the knight would pause, her eyes glued to the floor again as they tallied forward.

"I had a ..." she cleared her throat, "It might sound silly, but I have horrible dreams, and all end gruesomely... with someone dead that I care for... and it is all my fault. What if, as you said, Cosmos gives us nightmares to teach us-- and what if She is trying to tell me that I've grown too attached? What if I am too attached? More than the usual...? I-I mean, in the past, I made a strong bond between me and my fellow men at arms... it was a military bond... but, then I come here...and ... it is different. My bond with you and Lady Beatrix has evolved to something greater-- but it isn't Military, nor Knightly... rather Family wise, and... new... it is all new.... Is-.. Is it understandable?"

[Abigail Crescentlight]

Abigail listened as they walked along, then looked forward and down. So... Agrias' heart was growing for Beatrix... did she love her? It seemed the knight wasn't sure yet, and part of Abigail didn't really want her to. She wanted to be the one that made Agrias happy... the one that shined light upon her heart. But... it was seeming that was drifting away from her. The best she could do now was comfort her dear friend.

"Sweetheart... when I said that Cosmos uses dreams to teach us..." she started, trying to choose her words carefully. "She... doesn't go about it by pointing out your failures. Honor and duty aren't things that matter to her. What matters is your heart..." She held a hand to her chest, smiling. "She's showing you the things that weigh down your heart. Things that frighten you, because they threaten to cloud your mind and alter your perception of the present..."

She looked forward, nodding. "If you're seeing images of people you've loved and lost... it might not mean that she wants you to distance yourself, but rather... forgive yourself. They are ghosts that haunt your heart, because you cannot let them go. When you finally open your heart, and let the breeze blow free the cobwebs, you'll find that they'll smile upon you, these old friends of yours, and usher you on your way as they find their own peace. Keeping people at arm's length is never the answer, as it only isolates us, and throws us into darkness..." she paused, then added. "Where Chaos dwells. Cosmos exists in the light, in acceptance and family. Let yourself live for the light, and your doubt will no longer plauge you."

She paused, then looked down again, trying not to seem too forward. "She likes you, you know... Beatrix. I think you two match quite well..." she could kick herself for saying it, but she knew that part of her light was that she brought people together. She was a priestess, after all, and how many times had she married together couples forsaking her own needs? A lot, that's how many. Why should this be any different... they could be happy together. That should be enough for her.